Rebuilding

On October 7, 2016, the coast of Northeast Florida was skimmed by Hurricane Matthew. Fortunately, Jacksonville Beach did not sustain a direct hit, but we did suffer significant damage as the Category 2 storm passed just 40 miles offshore. One of the loses in the storm was the beloved Jax Beach Pier. In the months that have passed, there has been misinformation which has caused confusion and, from that, frustration over the future of the pier. This page was created as a way to help keep the community updated and informed as the long process to rebuild the pier unfolds. It is my hope that accurate and reliable information will reassure the public. Information on this page is from reliable sources including Jacksonville Councilman William Gulliford, Council President Lori Boyer, Mayor Lenny Curry, Jax Beach Mayor Charlie Latham, and city staff. If any information changes, it will be updated as soon as possible. I appreciate you caring enough about our community to be interested in the future of the pier and in the future of the Jacksonville Beach Downtown. Let's continue to work together to make a Better Jacksonville Beach.

Jon McGowan

President, Better Jacksonville Beach

The Jacksonville Beach Pier is an asset to the Beaches, and to the entire Northeast Florida community. I stand with Jacksonville Beach Mayor Charlie Latham and District 13 Councilman Bill Gulliford with a strong commitment to ensuring the repair and rebuilding of a structure so important to our residents and our region.

Anna Lopez Brosche

President, Jacksonville City Council

Updated June 26, 2017

Will the pier be rebuilt?

Absolutely. The City of Jacksonville Beach and the City of Jacksonville have stated they will rebuild the pier as it was before the hurricane.

When will the pier be rebuilt?

Initial estimates for rebuilding the pier have consistently been between 18 months and two years from hurricane to completion.* That placed the estimated completion date between May 2018 and October 2018. A string of nor'easters delayed the ability of the City to complete its assessment. Additionally, our community suffered a second hurricane less than a year later. While the Jax Beach Pier did not suffer significant additional damage, the resources of the City of Jacksonville were diverted for necessary repairs in other parts of the City. Based off current projections, it appears full repairs will be delayed at lease six months with completion taking place in 2019. Please remember that these are estimates, as with any major construction project the final completion date will vary.

*Immediately after the storm, Jax Beach Mayor Charlie Latham stated he thought the repairs would take around 10 months, with the pier possibly open by summer 2017. After they learned the extent of the damage he has since corrected that statement to the two year time frame.

Where are they in the process?

The City of Jacksonville has begun repairs on the remaining portion of the Jax Beach Pier with the goal of having that portion open in Spring of 2018. While that repair is taking place, the City will continue to work on design to extend the pier back to it's original length.

Wasn't the pier supposed to withstand a hurricane?

The Jacksonville Beach Pier was designed to withstand 130 MPH winds or a Category 3 hurricane. Part of the initial delay in rebuilding the pier was determining what went wrong. The City of Jacksonville will not release the full study, but it appears it was an error in the construction. Because the Pier is a city structure the study is protected by Homeland Security, but any details they are able to release will be shared here.

Who owns the pier?

The current pier that was built in 2004 is owned and managed by the City of Jacksonville even though we call it the Jacksonville Beach Pier.

Who is overseeing the project?

Since the Jacksonville Beach Pier is owned by the City of Jacksonville, the City of Jacksonville Public Works Department is overseeing the project.

Who is paying for it?

Initially, the costs will be paid by the City of Jacksonville who will then apply for reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Estimates are that between 50% and 80% of the cost to rebuild will be reimbursed by FEMA. A portion of the balance will also be covered byt he City of Jacksonville's insurance coverage. According to Jacksonville City Council President Lori Boyer, the City of Jacksonville is also exploring legal options against the original contractor since the construction failed.